U.S. patent number 4,821,959 [Application Number 07/079,424] was granted by the patent office on 1989-04-18 for pump and sprayer attachments for lawn mowers.
Invention is credited to Henry A. Browing.
United States Patent |
4,821,959 |
Browing |
April 18, 1989 |
Pump and sprayer attachments for lawn mowers
Abstract
A pump and sprayer attachment for lawn movers wherein a pump is
connected to the uppermost end of the engine drive or crank shaft
so as to be in direct drive relationship with respect thereto. A
source of liquid supply may also be mounted to the lawn mover with
suitable fluid conveying conduits communicating the liquid source
through the pump to fluid sprayers which are suitably connected
with the fluid conveying conduits.
Inventors: |
Browing; Henry A. (Quitman,
GA) |
Family
ID: |
22150455 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/079,424 |
Filed: |
July 30, 1987 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/121; 403/307;
403/343; 56/16.8; 56/16.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M
7/0042 (20130101); F02B 75/007 (20130101); Y10T
403/68 (20150115); Y10T 403/5746 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A01M
7/00 (20060101); A01D 034/00 (); F04B 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/120,121,124,127,172,289,302,390,DIG.6 ;56/16.8,16.9
;403/307,343 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Brochure: W W Grinder Inc. .
Brochure: "Dobbins" Master Manufacturing Co. .
Brochure: Centry Lawn & Garden Spray. .
Brochure: Sprayman, Inc. .
Brochure (Catalog): 87/88 Broyhill Co. .
Brochure: "The Spray Team" Demco. .
Brochure: Kuker Line: 1987..
|
Primary Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dowell & Dowell
Claims
I claim:
1. A combination lawn mower and pump apparatus comprising a lawn
mower having a chassis and an engine mounted to said chassis, a
crank shaft mounted within said engine and having an outer end
portion extending vertically upwardly with respect to said engine,
a connector means having first and second end portions, said first
end portion of said connector means being mounted to said outer end
of said crank shaft so as to be in axial alignment therewith, a
pump means supported by said engine, said pump means having a
housing having an inlet and discharge port and a drive shaft having
a driven end portion, said driven end portion of said drive shaft
being connected to said second end portion of said connector means,
whereby said drive shaft of said pump means is powered by being
directly driven by said crank shaft of said lawn mower.
2. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 1
including first conduit means having e first end connected to said
inlet portion and second conduit means having a first end connected
to said outlet port. engine and having an outer end portion
disposed remotely above said wheels, a connector means having first
and second end portions, said first end portion of said connector
means being mounted to said outer end of said crank shaft so as to
be in axial alignment therewith, a pump means, said pump means
having a housing having an inlet and discharge port and a drive
shaft having a driven end portion, said driven end portion of said
drive shaft being connected to said second end portion of said
connector means, a tray means mounted between said pump means and
said outer end of said crank shaft and seal means mounted between
said tray means and said connector means for sealing said tray
means in fluid-tight relationship with respect to said outer end of
said crank shaft, whereby said drive shaft of said pump means is
powered by being directly driven by said crank shaft of said lawn
mower.
3. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 2 in
which said outer end portion of said crank shaft includes outwardly
extending screw threads, said connector means including first and
second threaded sockets formed in said first and second end
portions, respectively and said outwardly extending screw threads
of said outer end portion of said crank shaft being cooperatively
receivable within said threaded socket of said first end portion of
said connector means.
4. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 3, in
which said driven end portion of said drive shaft of said pump
includes outwardly extending screw threads which are selectively
seated with said threaded socket of said second end portion of said
connector means, an intermediate portion having a diameter which is
larger than the diameter of the driven end portion thereof, at
least one pair of opposing flats formed on said intermediate
portion of said drive shaft.
5. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 2
including a fluid receiving tank means mounted to said lawn mower,
said first conduit means having a second end connected to said tank
means, a control valve means, said second conduit means having a
second end connected to said control valve means, and fluid
discharge means connected to said control valve means whereby fluid
from said tank means will be pumped by said pump means through said
control valve means to said fluid discharge means.
6. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 5
including a third conduit means, said third conduit means being
connected between said control valve means and said tank means.
7. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 6
including a first valve means disposed along said third conduit
means between said tank means and said control valve means, said
first valve means being operable to open or close third conduit
means.
8. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 7 in
which said fluid discharge means includes a spray bar means, said
spray bar means having a plurality of outlets therein, means for
mounting said spray bar means to said lawn mower, and a conduit
extending from said control valve means to said spray bar
means.
9. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 7 in
which said fluid discharge means includes a spray wand having an
elongated body and outer spray head portion, and a flexible conduit
extending between said control valve means and said elongated body
of said spray wand.
10. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 7
including a second valve means, said second valve means being
disposed along said first conduit means between said tank means and
said inlet port of said pump means, said second valve means being
operable to open or close said first conduit means.
11. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 10
including a pressure gauge means, said pressure gauge means being
mounted along said second conduit means between said pump means and
said control valve means.
12. A combination lawn mower and pump apparatus comprising a lawn
mower having a chassis mounted on wheels and an engine mounted to
the chassis, a crank shaft mounted within said engines and having
an outer end portion disposed remotely above said wheels, a
connector means having first and second end portions, said first
end portion of said connector means being mounted to said outer end
of said crank shaft so as to be in axial alignment therewith, a
pump means, said pump means having a housing having an inlet and
discharge port and drive shaft having a driven end portion, said
driven end portion of said drive shaft being connected to said
second end portion of said connector means, a tray means mounted
between said pump means and said outer end of said crank shaft and
seal means mounted between said tray means and said connector means
for sealing said tray means in fluid-tight relationship with
respect to said outer end of said crank shaft, whereby said drive
shaft of said pump means is powered by being directly driven by
said crank shaft of said lawn mower.
13. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 12 in
which said tray means includes an upper peripheral wall section and
a bottom wall which define a fluid receiving reservoir, a central
depending flange portion integrally formed with said bottom wall
and having an opening therethrough, said opening being of
substantially the same diameter as the diameter of said outer end
of said crank shaft so that said crank shaft is cooperatively
received therethrough.
14. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 13 in
which said tray means includes a sump formed in said bottom wall
thereof, and drain means within said sump for allowing fluid to
pass from said tray means.
15. The combination lawn mower and pump apparatus of claim 14
including bracket means, said bracket means having first and second
ends, said first end of said bracket means being connected to said
pump means and said second end of said bracket means supporting
said tray means whereby said bracket means stabilizes said tray
means with respect to said crank shaft.
16. A combination lawn mower and spraying apparatus comprising a
lawn mower, said lawn mower having a body portion which is
supported by ground engaging wheels, an engine mounted to said body
portion and having a crank shaft having an end portion extending
outwardly with respect to said engine, pump means carried by said
lawn mower adjacent said end portion of said crank shaft and having
a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom, said pump means having
inlet and discharge ports, connecting means for connecting said
drive shaft of said pump means to said end portion of said crank
shaft so that said drive shaft is axially driven in alignment
therewith, a tank means, means for mounting said tank means to said
lawn mower, first conduit means extending from said tank means to
said inlet port of said pump means, a control valve assembly,
second conduit means extending from said discharge port of said
pump means to said control valve assembly, a sprayer means, and
conduit means for connecting said control valve means in fluid
communication with said sprayer means.
17. The combination lawn mower and sprayer apparatus of claim 16
including a third conduit means extending from said control valve
means to said tank means, and valve means disposed along said third
fluid conduit means for selectively opening and closing said third
fluid conduit means.
18. The combination lawn mower and sprayer apparatus of claim 17 in
which said sprayer means includes a spray bar mounted to said body
portion of said lawn mower.
19. The combination lawn mower and sprayer apparatus of claim 18
including a second valve means disposed along said first conduit
means for selectively opening and closing said first conduit
means.
20. The combination lawn mower and sprayer apparatus of claim 16
including a tray means mounted intermediate said pump means and
said end portion of said crank shaft, and means for sealing said
tray means with respect to said crank shaft.
21. A combination lawn mower and pump and sprayer apparatus
comprising a lawn mower having a chassis and hood, an engine
mounted to said chassis beneath said hood, a crank shaft mounted
within said engine and having an outer end portion disposed
vertically with respect to said engine, a pump means disposed
adjacent to said engine and beneath said hood, said pump means
having a housing with inlet and outlet ports and a drive shaft
having a driven end portion, means for connecting said driven end
portion of said drive shaft so as to be in axial alignment with
said outer end portion of said crank shaft, a sprayer assembly
mounted to said lawn mower, conduit means for connecting said
sprayer assembly to said outlet port of said pump means whereby
said drive shaft of said pump means is powered by being directly
driven by said crank shaft of said lawn mower.
22. The combination lawn mower and pump and sprayer apparatus of
claim 21 including a fluid tank, means for mounting said fluid tank
to said lawn mower, and another conduit means communicating said
fluid tank to said pump means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally directed to implements or attachments
for use with power lawn mowers and more specifically to pump
attachments which may be directly connected to the uppermost end of
the engine drive shaft so as to be supported and drivingly engaged
by the engine drive or crank shaft. In the preferred embodiment of
the invention, a fluid reservoir is selectively secured to the lawn
mower and connected through fluid conduits and the pump to one or
more sprayers which may be selectively utilized as desired. With
the present invention, a conventional lawn mower may be utilized to
provide power to the pump for pumping various fluids in differing
environments and may also be converted into a self-powered mobile
spraying unit which can be utilized to effectively discharge
fertilizers, insecticides and other liquids as may be required by
individual homeowners.
2. History of the Related Art
In the past, most implements or attachments for use with powered
lawn mowers have been the type of equipment which is normally
pushed, pulled or otherwise supported by the lawn mower without any
necessity being made for powering the implement directly from the
lawn mower engine. Other types of implements such as rotor tillers
and the like which are utilized with larger garden type tractors,
receive power from special power take-offs which are designed
similarly to the power take-offs utilized on larger farm tractors.
Such power take-offs are specifically designed to provide a rotary
driving motion for powering various implements.
In applicant's copending U.S. Patent Ser. No. 06/798,541, filed
Nov. 15, 1985, entitled Multiple Machine Drive Shaft and Coupler
Adapter Assembly, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,349, one such arrangement
for a power take-off for driving one or more pumps is disclosed. In
that invention, the rotary power from a power take-off on a tractor
is conveyed to one or more pumps which may be interconnected and
driven along a common drive axis. The pumps may be utilized to
permit the simultaneous application of a plurality of fertilizers,
weed killers and/or insecticides as the tractor passes through a
field.
With smaller more conventional lawn mowers including push lawn
mowers or lawn mowers having horsepower ratings generally in the
range of 3.0 to 18 horsepower and which do not have a separate
power take-off, little use has been made of the engine to provide
power to supplemental implements and especially to implements for
pumping or spraying fluids.
Today, many homeowners must rely upon commercial lawn services to
provide necessary applications of fertilizers, weed killers,
insecticides and the like in order to maintain lawns and gardens in
proper condition. Fertilization and weed control applications
provided by commercial services are often very expensive with the
results not always being satisfactory as might otherwise be
possible when an individual takes a personal interest in the
application of the fertilizer, weed killer or insecticide to their
own yard or garden. Unfortunately, most implements provided for
fertilization for homeowners are either drop or broadcast spreaders
or liquid sprayers that are hand pumped to provide sufficient
pressure to spray small areas. In addition, some insecticide
dispensers have been manufactured for direct incorporation with a
household water source wherein the insecticide is directly attached
to a hose for concurrent dispensing of the fluid being discharged
from the hose. Again, such applications are limited in their scope
and are not suitable for use over large areas. Also, such prior art
spraying devices to not develop sufficient pressure to allow
application of insecticides, fertilizers and weed killers to remote
areas including the upper reaches of some shrubbery or trees.
There have been several attempts in the prior art to utilize
conventional lawn mowers to power pumps or sprayer systems. In U.S.
Pat. No. 3,813,190 to Keating, an emergency pump system is
disclosed which is powered by a conventional push lawn mower. In
this patent, a coupling adapter is fastened to the lawn mower
blade. The coupling adapter extends along a substantial portion of
the length of the blade and a depending socket member is secured to
a shaft extending into a pump. The pump is mounted within a raised
pedestal so that the lawn mower wheels are elevated above the
ground during the use of the lawn mower to power the pump. With
this type of construction, it is necessary to disengage the pump
from the lawn mower every time the lawn mower is to be utilized in
a conventional manner. Further, the mounting of the drive
connection to the lawn mower blade requires that the blade be
activated any time the lawn mower engine is to be utilized to power
the pump. Such a situation is not advantageous and presents
situations which may be extremely hazardous to an operator. This is
especially true as the lawn mower is mounted in elevated
relationship with respect to the ground during its use in powering
the pump.
A further drawback with respect to the pump system disclosed in the
patent to Keating is that the lawn mower cannot be utilized as a
mobile drive source for conveying the pumping apparatus from one
area to another. Therefore, with this type of arrangement, the
pumping apparatus is only suitable for use as a fixed location pump
and is not suitable for providing surface applications of liquid
fertilizers, water, chemical weed killers and the like.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,563 to Lita et al., another spraying
attachment for conventional push lawn mowers is disclosed which is
very similar in operation to that of the aforementioned prior art
reference to Keating. In this patent, a special extension is
adapted to be engaged with the lower portion of the drive shaft
below the lawn mower cutting blade. The lawn mower is adapted to be
mounted to a housing so as to be raised with respect to the ground.
A belt drive power take-off is provided to drive a pump so as to
deliver fluid from a fluid receiver to a sprayer. Again, the
pumping system of Lita et al. is not a portable system which would
permit spraying to be accomplished over large areas. Instead, the
lawn mower must be fixed with respect to the pump support base or
housing during operation of the pump. Further, with this structure,
the lawn mower must be provided with a supplemental extension which
must be disengaged every time the lawn mower is to be utilized in a
standard capacity in mowing operations.
Additional examples of prior art liquid sprayers or spraying
attachments for use with lawn mowers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
2,044,884 to Keller and 2,939,636 to Mullen.
Today's commercially available sprayers for use with lawn mowers
are designed to be independently operated systems. Such systems are
frequently trailered behind a conventional lawn mower and include
their own separate power supply source, such as electrical engines
or gasoline engines, to provide a drive source for the pumping
equipment associated with such systems. Other sprayer systems are
directly mounted to conventional lawn mowers but again are utilized
with separate sources of power, i.e. separate electrical supply or
gasoline engines. In the foregoing systems, the requirement for a
separate and individual power source to be utilized with the
equipment is not economical and in many cases inefficient, as when
separate electrical power sources are used.
Another example wherein the drive shaft of a lawn mower is used as
a power-take off for accessories is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,308,676 wherein a power take-off is provided above the deck of
the mower in order to power an implement for use in snow blowing.
Other examples of utilizing the drive shaft of conventional lawn
mowers for use as power take-offs for powering accessories or
auxiliary equipment are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,254 to
Qualls wherein a flexible drive shaft is connected to an edge
trimmer with the drive shaft being connected to the upper portion
of the lawn mower drive shaft. A similar arrangement is also
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,855 to Beaver, Jr.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a combination power lawn mower and
pump wherein the pump is directly connected to the uppermost
portion of the lawn mower drive or crank shaft. The pump includes a
central drive shaft which is securely engaged by one end of a
coupler assembly. The other end of the coupler assembly is adapted
to be securely engaged in rotational relationship with the upper
end of the lawn mower drive shaft.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lawn mower may be
converted into a portable sprayer by attaching a fluid supply tank
thereto and connecting the supply tank with a first fluid conduit
extending from the supply tank to the inlet of the pump and a
second fluid conduit extending from the outlet of the pump to a
control valve assembly and sprayer. In order to promote mixing of
the fluid contents within the supply tank and to permit continuous
operation of the pump during normal operation of the lawn mower
when fluid is retained within the tank, a return fluid conduit is
connected from the control valve assembly to the holding tank. The
lawn mower may be adapted to apply fertilizers, lawn chemicals,
insecticides and the like to extensive surface areas by mounting a
spray bar along the rear of the lawn mower and connecting the spray
bar to the control valve assembly. Further, an optional hand-held
spray wand assembly may also be provided which can be attached
directly to an outlet on the control valve assembly to thereby make
it possible for the lawn mower to provide a sprayer which can be
utilized to apply insecticides and fertilizers to remote areas such
as deep within floral beds or in elevated areas within shrubbery,
trees and the like.
In order to protect the engine from any adverse deposits of fluids
from the pump, a fluid collection tray is mounted around the
coupler assembly and intermediate the engine head and the pump.
Appropriate seals are provided to retain the tray in fluid-tight
relationship between the pump and the engine. The tray is
stabilized by appropriate brackets to the engine block and in some
embodiments, a drain valve may be provided in the collection tray
so as to permit easy dispensing of any fluids deposited
therein.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mobile
pumping apparatus which is powered by the drive shaft of a
conventional power lawn mower and in particular to power riding
lawn mowers or lawn and garden tractors wherein the pump may be
easily attached to the uppermost end of the drive shaft. In some
instances, attachment to the drive shaft may require the removal of
the conventional nut which is provided to retain the filtration
screen or rotation screen in place over the upper end of the drive
shaft or the replacement of the nut by a smaller dimensional
locking nut prior to the attachment of the pump. In some
applications, it may be necessary to also remove a portion of a
hand start rope puller and rewind assembly and provide appropriate
access for the drive coupler therethrough.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump
apparatus in combination with a conventional powered lawn mower
which enables the drive shaft of the lawn mower to provide
rotational drive input for the pump in order that the pump may be
utilized to convey fluids from an intake to an output for a
plurality of uses or purposes and wherein the lawn mower allows the
pump to be transported from one location to another as selectively
desired.
It is yet another object of the present invention to adapt
conventional powered lawn mowing equipment to be utilized as pumps
or sprayers wherein a pump may be easily and quickly adapted to be
connected to the uppermost portion of the drive shaft so that the
pump may be installed without necessitating the homeowner to tamper
with any components near the cutting blades of the lawn mower and
wherein the pump is installed to the drive shaft of the lawn mower
in such a manner that the mobility of the lawn mower is not
effected while the pump is in use.
It is another object of the present invention to make it possible
to convert conventional lawn mowing equipment into portable
sprayers which can be utilized to apply liquid fertilizers, weed
control chemicals and other fluids to large and expansive surface
areas without requiring any major modification to the lawn mower
engine, chassis or frame. A fluid holding tank may be supported by
the lawn mower with the fluid therefrom being discharged by a pump
connected directly to the lawn mower drive shaft and with the fluid
being delivered to appropriate spray bars or hand sprayers which
may be selectively connected to the output of the pump.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a
low cost means for homeowners to convert conventional lawn mowing
equipment into portable sprayers by enabling conventional pumps to
be directly attached and drivingly connected to the uppermost
portion of a lawn mower drive shaft with little installation effort
being necessary and without altering the safe operation of the lawn
mower.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump and
sprayer system which can be easily mounted to existing conventional
power lawn mowers in order to provide homeowners with an economical
lawn and garden sprayer and pumping unit which can be attached to a
conventional lawn mower without adversely effecting the performance
of the lawn mower or lawn mower engine thereby enabling the primary
functions of the lawn mower to be utilized simultaneously with the
operation of the pumping apparatus.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pump
and spraying apparatus for incorporation with conventional lawn
mowers which is adapted to be driven or powered by the lawn mower
drive or crank shaft by an appropriate coupler assembly which
allows the pump to be nonrotatingly engaged with the crank shaft,
even though in some instances the pump is being physically
supported thereby, until such time as selective election is made by
the operator to engage the coupler mechanism to permit the drive
shaft to rotate the pump drive shaft thereby allowing the pump to
operate in a normal capacity.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a
portable liquid sprayer system which may be utilized with
conventional lawn mowers wherein the sprayer system is powered
directly by the lawn mower drive shaft without requiring additional
or separate power sources.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustrational view of one form of the invention
wherein a conventional riding lawn mower has been adapted to
support a fluid supply tank which is connected by flexible fluid
conveying conduits to a pump mounted beneath the hood of the lawn
mower and to a fluid sprayer bar which is mounted to the rear of a
lawn mower.
FIG. 2 is an illustrational fluid circuit diagram of the sprayer
apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view showing the
pumping apparatus utilized in FIGS. 1 and 2 mounted to the upper
portion of the drive shaft of the lawn mower engine wherein the
pump is mounted above a fluid collection tray.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the pumping apparatus of
the present invention as attached to the upper portion of the drive
shaft of the conventional lawn mower shown in FIG. 1 showing
portions of a collection tray broken away to show the underlying
detail of the upper portion of the engine casing of the
conventional lawn mower.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With continued reference to the drawings, the present invention has
been developed in order to permit a conventional lawn mower 10 to
be utilized to power a pump 11 or a sprayer assembly 12 which may
be utilized to distribute liquid fertilizers, weed killers, paints,
water or any other flowable liquids without having to alter the
lawn mower or adversely restrict its normal operating functions.
Although the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawings
is utilized in incorporation with a conventional riding
self-starting lawn mower, it is possible for the present pump and
spraying system to be utilized with other conventional power lawn
mowers of both the riding and push type. In some instances, some
alteration of the conventional pull or starter cord winding
assemblies which are attached to engine drive shafts to permit
manual cranking of the drive shaft may be necessary. In addition,
although the pumping apparatus of the present invention is shown as
being utilized in combination with a fluid spraying or distribution
system, it is envisioned that the combination lawn mower and
pumping apparatus of the present invention may be utilized to
operate as a standard conventional pump to convey liquids from one
point to another. In this manner, a conventional lawn mower can be
utilized to power a pump so as to permit homeowners to withdraw
liquids from flooded areas, sumps and the like by simply extending
an intake line and a discharge line from the pump which is attached
to the lawn mower engine drive shaft as will be discussed in
greater detail hereinafter.
In the preferred embodiment, the lawn mower 10 is shown as
comprising a hood 13 which is mounted over an engine block
generally designated at 14 having a drive shaft 15 extending
therethrough. The uppermost end of the drive shaft is threaded as
shown at 16 and normally receives a nut (not shown) which secures
the upper end of the drive shaft relative to a rotational screen 17
which prevents debris from entering the area of the rotating
components of the drive shaft. In the present embodiment, no
hand-cranking mechanism is disclosed as the lawn mower is of a
self-starting type.
The lawn mower further includes a chassis having a rear end 18,
forward end 19, drive wheels 20 and forward steering wheels 21. A
seat 22 is provided in spaced relationship from the steering column
23 and is intermediate a pair of fenders 24 extending on either
side thereof.
With respect to FIG. 1, a mounting bracket assembly 25 is attached
to the rear chassis of the lawn mower by providing a pair of
horizontally extending bracket members 26 from which a plurality of
vertically extending U-shaped support members 27 are supported. A
pair of opposing support channels 28 are secured to the upper
portion of the vertical supports 27 so as to provide a mounting
surface for a fluid supply tank 30 which is selectively mounted
therebetween. In order to secure the fluid supply tank 30 in seated
relationship with the opposing channels, a pair of straps 32 may be
extended on opposite sides of the tank and over and about the
opposing support channels. Appropriate locking means (not shown)
may be utilized to secure the straps in place.
With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a pump
34 is secured to the uppermost end 16 of the drive shaft of the
lawn mower by way of a connector 36 having upper and lower end
portions 37 and 38, respectively. The intermediate portion of the
sides of the connector 36 are provided with wrench flats 39 which
may be utilized to engage the connector to prohibit its rotation or
to selectively rotate the connector relative to the upper end of
the drive shaft 16 or the input drive shaft 40 of the pump 34. In
the embodiment shown, the input drive shaft 40 is shown as being
threadingly engaged within a threaded socket 41 provided in the
uppermost portion of the connector 36. The lowermost portion 42 of
the connector is also provided with screw threads which engage the
threads on the upper end of the drive shaft of the lawn mower. In
order that the connector operates as self-locking connector, the
screw threads 41 defined within the upper portion of the connector
and the screw threads provided in the lower portion 42 of the
connector are the same pitch and diameter and are so directed as to
tighten their mutual engagement with the opposing male threads when
the drive shaft is rotated to turn the pump drive shaft. To further
assist in the make and brake assembly of the components, the
intermediate portion 43 of the pump drive shaft is provided with
opposing flats 44 which may be utilized for the placement of
wrenches to assist in prohibiting rotation of the drive shaft
relative to the connector 36. In order to facilitate the
installation of the pump relative to the connector 36 or drive or
crank shaft 16, the upper end of the pump drive shaft 40 may be
extended above the pump housing, as shown in FIG. 3. In this
embodiment, flats 44' may be provided on opposite sides of the
extended portion of the drive shaft. This will negate the need for
the flats 44 on the intermediate section or portion of the pump
drive shaft and also allow for easier manipulation of the pump
drive shaft during installation or removal of the pump.
It should be noted that as opposed to using the separate connector
36, in some instances, the lowermost end of the pump drive shaft
may be provided with an integrally formed socket which would
cooperatively receive the upper end of the engine crank or drive
shaft. Thus, the connector would be an integral portion of the pump
drive shaft.
Also, although a threaded connector is shown in the drawings, other
types of connectors could be used such as splined connectors or
connectors requiring set screws. Further, the connectors between
the pump drive shaft and lawn mower crank shaft may include a
clutch mechanism which would permit the pump drive shaft to be
selectively engaged or disengaged, as desired, with the lawn mower
crank shaft without having to remove the pump from its mounted
relationship with respect to the lawn mower.
The pump may be of various conventional constructions including
rotary pumps, centrifugal pumps, piston pumps or roller type pumps.
A preferred type pump is manufactured under the name of Delavan by
Colt Industries. The pump shown in the drawings is typical of a
4-roller side port pump model 44-5111 Delavan pump which is capable
of delivering 9.2 gpm when utilized with gas drive engines at
speeds up to 2600 rpm. The normal operating efficiency normally
extends between 6.5 and 9.2 gpm depending upon rotational drive
inputs of 1800-2600 rpm with operating pressures being established
up to 150 p.s.i.g. It should be emphasized, however, that other
types of pumps may be utilized and adapted for use with the present
invention. The pump 34 includes a main housing 45 having an inlet
46 and discharge 47.
With particular reference to FIG. 3, when the pump of the present
invention is installed on a conventional lawn mower having a
vertically oriented drive shaft such as shown in FIG. 3, a fluid
collection tray 50 is mounted intermediate the connector 36 and the
inner support frame 51 of the conventional lawn mower housing
engine screen 17. The central portion of the collection receptacle
is shown as having a depending generally annular flange 53 and end
wall 54 having an opening therein which is substantially equal to
the diameter of the upper end of the engine drive shaft. A sealing
gasket 55 is disposed between the end wall 54 of the collection
tray 50 and the lowermost portion of the connector 36 in order to
prohibit any liquid collected within the tray from passing
downwardly and into the engine drive shaft.
The fluid collection tray 50 is provided with upstanding side walls
56 which prevent any fluid from being splashed or spilled over the
edges thereof. In order to provide an easy means for removing fluid
from the collection tray, one section of the tray may be depressed
as shown at 57 to create a sump area which is normally sealed by a
plug 58 which covers a fluid discharge or outlet pipe 59 through
which liquid deposits may be readily siphoned from the collection
tray.
As previously discussed, once the pump 34 of the present invention
has been drivingly connected to the upper portion of the lawn mower
drive shaft, the pump may be utilized to convey fluids from one
point to another. In such an embodiment, an inlet hose would be
attached to the inlet of the pump and an outlet or discharge hose
attached by appropriate means to the discharge side of the pump. In
the preferred form of the invention, the pump is adapted to be
utilized with a sprayer system 12 as will be discussed with
specific reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.
The sprayer system of the present invention includes the liquid
supply tank 30 which is connected by a first hose or conduit 60 to
the inlet 46 of the pump 11. A valve 61 may be placed along the
length of the conduit 60 in order to selectively adjust the flow
through such conduit. In making the connection of the first conduit
60 with the inlet of the pump, an elbow fitting 62 is threadingly
received within the inlet and thereafter the end of the first
conduit inserted over the elbow with a suitable band clamp 63 being
provided to frictionally engage the end of the conduit with the
elbow.
A second fluid conduit 64 extends from the discharge side 47 of the
pump 11 to a control valve assembly 65 which is secured to the
fenders 24 of the lawn mower by appropriate fasteners or retention
brackets. The second conduit is secured to another elbow member 66
which is threadingly received within the discharge port 47 of the
pump. A second band clamp member 67 is provided for securely
engaging the conduit 64 with the elbow connector.
In order to complete a continuous fluid circuit between the pump
and the tank 30, a third conduit 68 extends from the tank to the
control valve assembly 65. A valve 69 is provided along the length
of the conduit 66 so as to selectively open and close the conduit
depending upon whether fluid is to be returned to the tank 30 or
dispensed through the control valve 65 to an outlet 70 to which one
or more spray assemblies may be selectively attached.
As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, in one form of the invention, a
spray bar 71 may be selectively secured to the support frame 25.
The spray bar will include a plurality of discharge nozzles 72
which may be equally spaced along the length of the spray bar. The
spray bar is also provided with an inlet nipple 73 over which a
flexible hose or conduit 74 is selectively attached. The free end
of the flexible conduit 74 may be selectively inserted over the
discharge nipple 70 of the control valve assembly 65. With use of
the spray bar assembly, fluid from the tank can be passed through
conduit 60, pump 11, conduit 64 and through control valve assembly
65 to the spray boom 71. Fluid passing through the spray boom will
thereafter be discharged evenly from the spray nozzles. In this
embodiment of the invention, the lawn mower may be driven in a
conventional manner thereby allowing fluid passing from the spray
bar to be sprayed and distributed over expansive areas. The
operation of the pump should not effect the operating efficiency of
the engine thereby the engine may be utilized in its normal driving
capacity to power the drive wheels 20. In some instances, it may be
possible to simultaneously spray fertilizers, insecticides, weed
control chemicals and/or other fluids from the tank 30 while using
the lawn mower in its conventional capacity to cut grass.
As an alternative form of the invention, a hand-held spray wand 80
may be provided having a discharge nozzle 81 which is connected to
the discharge 70 of the control valve assembly 65 by way of a
flexible conduit or hose 82. The spray wand 80 may be utilized to
spray areas above the ground with the pressures developed by the
pump being sufficient to permit fluids to be sprayed in out of the
way and hard to reach areas.
The sprayer system 12 of the present invention is also provided
with a pressure gauge 90 which is connected to fluid conduit 64
upstream of the control valve assembly 65. The pressure gauge will
allow the operator to determine optimum discharge pressures with
the pressure being adjustable by regulating either valves 65 or 69
to effectively control the quantity of liquid passing through the
fluid circuit. The control valve 65 is a three-way valve which
permits fluid to be channeled from the fluid conduit 64 to either
or both of the discharge outlet 70 or the return conduit 68.
In the operation of the sprayer system of the present invention,
when it is desired to simply mix chemicals within the fluid tank
30, valves 61 and 68 are opened with control valve 65 being closed
so as to create a continuous fluid circuit as shown in FIG. 2. In
this embodiment, during the operation of the lawn mower engine, the
pump will cause fluids to be cycled through the circuit. When it is
desired to prevent the flow of any fluid within a circuit, valve 61
may be closed or selectively opened to atmosphere to prevent any
fluid from passing through the line 60 to the intake of the pump.
When it is desired to use either the spray boom 71 or the hand wand
80, the valve member 61 is opened and valve 69 is closed.
Thereafter, the control valve assembly 65 is opened to permit a
fluid circuit to be created between the fluid conduit 64 and the
outlet nipple 70 to the appropriate sprayer assembly.
Although the sprayer assemblies of the present invention have
generally been discussed for use with fertilizers, insecticides,
weed control chemicals and the like, it is possible that other
liquids including water, paint, or other generally non-viscous
liquids may be utilized with the system of the present invention.
In addition, although the pump has been shown as being mounted to a
vertically oriented engine, it is possible that the pump could
likewise be mounted in an appropriate manner to a sideways oriented
engine.
Under normal circumstances, the pump is supported directly by the
engine drive shaft with any rotation of the pump being prevented by
the attached fluid conduits or hoses 60 and 64. In some
circumstances, it may be desirable to anchor the tray to the pump
by providing a bracket assembly 92. The bracket includes an upper
end 93 which is bolted directly to the pump and a lower end 94
which extends outwardly from the pump toward the backside of the
collection tray 50. Appropriate fasteners may be provided to secure
the tray to the bracket.
* * * * *